USA > New York > Niagara County > Landmarks of Niagara County, New York > Part 59
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Finnell, John H, was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., August 18, 1858, a son of Michael Finnell. He was educated in the public schools at Niagara Falls and later took a course in the Niagara Falls Business College. At the age of fifteen he began learning the trade of carpenter and builder, which he has made his life business. In 1890 he undertook his first large contract and has since that time been continuously and successfully engaged in the business of contracting and building, and is also agent for Niagara county for the Stewart Iron Works of Cincinnati, Ohio, handling their improved iron fencings. He is a director of the Buffalo National Savings and Loan Association and was assistant chief of the Niagara Falls Fire Department in 1892, and has been a member of the C. M. B. A. since 1881. He is also a member of the New York Mutual Life Association, served eight years in the N. Y. S. N. G. and is at present a member of the Veteran Association. March 7, 1877, he married Mary Penders, who died January 11, 1881, leaving two sons and a daughter. Feb- ruary 5, 1894, Mr. Finnell married Mary C. Macnamee of Cleveland, Ohio.
Healand, John, was born in the town of Concord, Erie county, March 27, 1842, and is a son of John and Jane C. Healand. His father was born in Lincolnshire, Eng., and came to America just after marriage in 1838, locating in Orleans county, and later moved to Hartland, Niagara county, where he died in 1880. They had four children: Frances, now Mrs. Van Ness, Maria (Mrs. T. Sheriff), died June 16, 1890, John and Joseph. John Healand attended school at Ridgway and finished at County Line. He enlisted in Co. A, 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, December 10, 1863, for three years, when he was transferred to Co. K, 10th N. Y. Vols., and was, dis- charged June 30, 1865, at Bailey's Cross Roads, Va. His regiment was engaged in
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the battles of Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, in front of Petersburg June 16, 18 and 22d, Malvern Hill, Deep Bottom, Weldon Railroad, Reams Station, first and second Hatcher's Run and Appomattox. In 1865 he married Harriet S. Bron- son, daughter of Josiah W. and Sally Maria (Barlow) Bronson, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bronson have these children: William R. Bronson, Jane Brightman, Ange- line Gaumer, Harriet and Caroline Andrews. Mr. Healand has been town commit- teeman, highway commissioner, member of Excise Board, and is now commander of C. L. Keels Post No. 349, G. A. R. On March 8, 1873, he moved on the farm where he now lives.
Perrigo. George William, was born in Hulburton, Orleans county, N. Y., Septem- ber 12, 1840, and came to Wilson with his parents in March, 1855. His parents, William and Elizabeth H. (Pratt) Perrigo, were both born in Murray, Orleans county, whence they came to Wilson, his father to engage in the foundry business. In 1865 the business was sold to Barnum, Wilson & Co. His father then engaged in the grocery business and later sold that to John Monk, and is now residing in Alle- gan, Mich., engaged with two of his sons as manufacturing chemists; he is now eighty-one years old and enjoying good health. Elizabeth H Perrigo, the mother, died in August, 1894, aged seventy-four years. George W. Perrigo was educated at Wilson Collegiate Institute. After completing his education he went into business with his father in the foundry until they sold out; he then engaged in the insurance business for a number of years. When the evaporating of fruits was begun as an industry he started his first evaporator in the fall of 1880, and has run one or more every year since, and is now the only one engaged in the business who commenced when that industry was in its infancy in this town. In 1891 he engaged in the hardware business, and now occupies a building 20 by 70 feet, two stories high. Mr. Perrigo is a Republican in politics and has never failed of casting his ballot for the nominees of his party at every general election. He is a member of Ontario Lodge No. 376, F. & A. M. April 26, 1864, he married Mary E. Davis of Wilson, N. Y., and they had six children: Sarah A., Elizabeth A., William G., Walter L. (deceased), Henry L. and Mabel A. Mrs. Perrigo was the daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Holmes) Davis. Nathaniel Davis came to Wilson with his parents, Ebenezer and Mary (Payne) Davis, about 1820. In 1829 he married Sarah Holmes, daughter of Daniel and Sally (Taylor) Holmes; they lived on a farm just south of the village of Wilson most of their married life, and reared a family of nine children; two sons died in the war of the Rebellion. Mrs. Sarah (Holmes) Davis died at the Davis home- stead in October, 1864, and Mr. Davis died in April, 1883; they were both mem- bers of the Presbyterian church of Wilson.
Burtch, Lewis, was born in Newfane, Niagara county, N. Y., October 13, 1816, a son of Martin and Hannah (Wisner) Burtch. The grandfather, David Wisner, came from Seneca county to Newfane about 1810, and made a home in the wilderness, where he lived until his death. Martin Burtch died in 1822, and Mrs. Burtch mar- ried Levi Stratton; Mr. Stratton died in 1838 and his widow remained on the farm until her death in 1876, at the age of eighty-eight years. Lewis Burtch was reared on the farm, and took charge of the home farm for eight years, when he came to Cambria in 1851 and purchased 210 acres of land, where he has since carried on general farming and stock raising. In 1840 he married Lovisa Curtis. Mr. and
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Mrs. Burtch have had no children of their own, but they adopted two children, Lovisa Crandall, who married J. Bryant, and Lucy L., who resides at home. Mrs. Burtch's father, James Curtis, came to Newfane in 1802 and followed farming; he was a miller by trade and ran a mill at Claverack, Columbia county, in conjunction with his farming.
Markle, Charles N., was born in Wilson, January 28, 1860, a son of John G. and Caroline (Wuste) Markle, natives of Germany. John G. Markle was born in Ger- many, December 3, 1821, and immigrated to America in 1854, settling in Orange county, N. Y., and in 1856 came to Wilson, where he followed his trade, that of wagon- maker, until 1895, when he retired. October 1, 1849, he married Caroline Wuste, and they had three children: John G., of the United States Army, aged forty-six ; Denie A., teacher in the Torrington (Conn.) High School, and Charles N. (as above). Mr. Markle is a Republican and has been trustee and treasurer of the village of Wilson eleven years, trustee of schools six years, eight years trustee of Greenwood Cemetery, and overseer of the poor four years. He was instrumental in collecting most of the money for the new Methodist Episcopal church, and was class leader and steward for over twenty-five years. Mrs. Markle was born in January, 1821 .. Charles N. was educated in Wilson, and began his business life as a clerk in Buffalo, from there he went to Lockport, and in April, 1881, moved to Wilson, where he en- gaged in business in which he has been very successful, now having the largest store of general merchandise in town. In politics he is a Republican, and has held the office of town clerk for ten years; he held the office of overseer of the poor for two years, was trustee and clerk of the village for nine years, has been clerk and trustee of the Board of Education for six years, and a member of the Presbyterian Society and trustee of the church. He is now secretary and treasurer and one of the di- rectors in the Wilson Creamery, and trustee and worshipful master of Ontario Lodge No. 376, F. & A. M., a member of Twelve Mile Tent, K. O. T. M., member of the American Fraternal Insurance Organization, and also a member of the village Board of Health. April 29, 1885, he married Carrie M. Darling of Lockport, daugh- ter of Horace S. Darling of Newfane, and they have one daughter, Grace D., born February 8, 1886. Mr. Markle is financial agent for the American Express Com- pany, and is a young business man of great popularity and future promise.
Harrington, jr., Frank B., was born at Lockport, N. Y., January 29, 1855, a son of the late Frank B. Harrington. He was educated in the union schools of his native town and at fifteen years of age engaged with a Lockport grocer and remained eight years. In 1873 he removed to Niagara Falls and later bought out the grocery busi- ness of J. Brookfield and carried on that business successfully until 1894, when he he was appointed to his present position as superintendent of Station A of the Niagara Falls post office. In 1881 he was married to Emma M. Schomburg, and they have four children. Mr. Harrington is a member of Niagara Lodge No. 81, I. O. O. F., and enjoys the high esteem of his fellow townsmen.
Colpoys, Henry L., was born in the village of Suspension Bridge, February 10, 1864, and is a son of William Colpoys, for many years a railroad employee. Mr. Colpoys was educated in the public schools, and at the age of thirteen went to work at the Western Hotel at Suspension Bridge, where he remained for four years, when
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he was offered and accepted a position as baggageman with the West Shore Railway at that place. After two years' service with the West Shore Railway he became identified with the old Erie Express at Buffalo, N. Y., which went out of existence a year later (1884), at which time he returned to Niagara Falls and entered the employ of the Erie Railway Company as clerk in the freight department. After six years' service he was promoted to the chief clerkship by E. R. Allen, then agent; upon the removal of Mr. Allen as agent at Wellsville, he was promoted agent of the freight department, which position he still occupies.
Miller, Isaac, was born in Waterloo, N. Y., February 9, 1825, and with his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Miller, moved to the town of Greece, Monroe county, in 1827. In 1854 Mr. Miller came to Niagara county, settling in Lockport, and for thirty years was engaged in the dry goods business, and later in the manufacturing of cotton batting, being one of the pioneers in that business, from which he retired in 1896. In 1851 he married Nancy L., daughter of John Van De Venter. They had one son, Rolland E. Mr. Miller always took an active interest in all educational and religious institutions and ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople. Mrs. Miller died December 31, 1896. Exactly six months after, June 29, 1897, Mr. Miller followed his beloved wife to the silentland. The following is from an obituary notice published in a local newspaper: "So deep and abiding was the affection existing be- tween these two that when one was removed, life could not be taken up again by the other. Mr. Miller leaves one brother, Henry Miller of North Greece, N. Y., and one son, Dr. Rolland Elwell Miller, who now, with his wife and child, reside in Lock- port. Among his many friends, both in the First Presbyterian church, in the Ma- sonic fraternity to which he belonged, and in his immediate neighborhood, Mr. Mil- ler will be profoundly mourned. Always kind and courteous, thoughtful and con- siderate, he possessed the virtues which touch most densely the human heart, and are longest remembered and reverenced."
Earl, Herman S., was born in Rutland county, Vt., June 16, 1849, a son of Homer and Betsey Earl, natives of Vermont. His father was born August 3, 1800, and mother December 25, 1800; they were married in August, 1823, and had eight chil- dren, six of whom are living: Oscar H., Mary A., Everett, Wilbur T., W. C. Earl, M. D. ; Fostina and Hiram are dead. Mr. Earl's parents came from Vermont with team and wagon, locating on the farm now owned by Mr. Earl. They cleared the land and underwent all the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. He was jus- tice of the peace and merchant in Vermont for years and was an assessor in New- fane; he died January 12, 1866, and his widow August 27, 1890. Herman S. Earl married Sarah A. Keyes March 5, 1873, and they had one son who died when seven months old. Mrs. Earl died in 1873 and he married Effie A. Bunday, a daughter of M. C. Pierce, who lives with his daughter and is in his ninety first year. Mr. Earl is a successful farmer and fruit grower and is a steadfast, honest and industrious gen- tleman. The last bear of Niagara county was killed on his farm forty years ago.
Hodge, William H., M. D., was born at Cambria, N. Y., May 27, 1865, a son of James Hodge, a prosperous farmer of that town, now deceased. Young Hodge was educated at the Lockport Union School, and later in the University of New York. In 1886 he began the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. John W.
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Hodge, at Niagara Falls, and later entered the Medical Department of the Uni- versity of the City of New York. From New York he went to Chicago, where he graduated from the Chicago Homoeopathic Medical College in 1889; the following year he was appointed assistant surgeon in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. In 1892 he returned to Niagara Falls, where he is now at the head of the medical profession. Dr. Hodge was married February 17, 1892, to Miss Marion A. Morley, the accomplished daughter of Rev. B. Morley of Sandusky, Ohio, and a relative of the famous English statesman, John Morley. Mrs. Hodge died at Ni- agara Falls January 17, 1896; the memory of this lovely and noble woman will ever be cherished by all who were so fortunate as to know her. Dr. Hodge, though young in years, is a man of wide experience and a skillful surgeon. He is sur- geon for the Cataract Construction Co. and many other large corporations; is pres- ident of the Western New York Homoeopathic Medical Society, a member of the New York State Homoeopathic Medical Society and of the American Institute of Homoeopathy.
Upson, William H .- This enterprising business man of Lockport was born in Canisteo, Steuben county, N. Y., July 23, 1850. He has been connected with the Erie Railroad Company for the past thirty-one years, having filled numerous posi- tions of trust, and is at this time freight and passenger agent at Lockport for this company. He is also interested in other enterprises, owning and operating the largest coal industry in the city; his coal pocket trestle is the largest in Western New York outside of Buffalo and Rochester. He is president of the Empire Knights of Relief, a fraternal insurance order with head office in the D. S. Morgan Build- ing at Buffalo, treasurer and director in the Lockport Savings and Loan Associa- tion, and one of Lockport's substantial and public spirited citizens. He has always been a Republican in politics and was elected supervisor three consecutive terms from his ward. He was married October 28, 1875, to Nella M. Ayrault of Nunda, Livingston county, N. Y. Although a comparatively young man, he has the respect and confidence of his fellow townsmen, and has before him apparently many years in which to develop the prosperous career he has started upon.
Brookins, Samuel W., was born in Pennsylvania, August 15, 1818, a son of Eras- tus and Annie (Wood) Brookins; he born in Rutland, Vt., in 1784, and she in Hali- fax, in 1785. Samuel Brookins was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He is a farmer and hasa farm of eighty-two acres, and in 1885 built a fine residence. He was married in 1846 to Barbara Curtis, who died soon after, and in 1856 he married Jennette Brown, born in Porter, and a daughter of John and Mary A. Brown, who came to Porter quite early. Mr. and Mrs. Brookins had three children: Elmer E., born August 28, 1861, and educated at Buffalo in Bryant & Strat- ton's Business College, a farmer in Porter and was supervisor of the town for two years; was married February 13, 1897, to Miss A. Eudora Hill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hill of Porter. Lamont W. was killed at the age of seven; and Burt H., born March 4, 1870, educated in the common schools of Buffalo and in Clark & Perrin's Business College. He was married in 1896 to Alberta Calvert, and they have one daughter, Ruth M. In politics Mr. Brookins is a Republican, and the fam- ily attend and are members of the Presbyterian church at Youngstown.
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Pringle, George W., was born at Norwood, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., Decem- ber 31, 1868, a son of Ralph Pringle, a farmer of that place. Mr. Pringle was edu- cated in the public schools at Norwood, and at the age of nineteen took a course in the Louisville (Ky.) College of Dentistry, from which he was graduated in 1892. He then removed to Niagara Falls, where he entered into the successful practice of his profession in the same year, 1892.
Pearce, Robert, was born in Devonshire, England, May 23, 1835, and came to the United States July 10, 1853, settling in Middleport, where he learned his trade of harness manufacturer of Richard Ide. In 1856 he established his present business of harness making, bicycles and sporting goods. In 1854 he married Anna, daugh- ter of James Podger, and they have two sons, James and Everett. Mr. Pearce takes an active interest in all public matters and has served four years as trustee of the town.
Briggs, Warren C., was born at Mapleton, Niagara county, N. Y., August 20, 1873. He received his education at the Lockport Union School and Lockport Busi- ness University. His father, Wesley C. Briggs, was born at Carlton, Orleans county, N. Y., August 30, 1842, and was educated at the Lockport Union School and Bryant & Stratton's Business College of Buffalo. On March 21, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Esther Cornell of Ransomville. Mrs. Briggs was educated at Wilson Academy and the Lockport Union School, and previous to her marriage taught in the public schools of Niagara county for several years. The greater part of Mr. Briggs's life was spent on the farm at Mapleton, where after a short illness he died October 9, 1892. Since his death his son has carried on the affairs of the home- stead farm in a most exemplary and business like manner and has given consider- able attention to the care of fine stock and horses. The parents of Wesley C. Briggs were Ira and Philena (Travis) Briggs. Ira Briggs was born in Greene county, N. Y., October 5, 1812, and his wife (whose father was a Quaker) was born in Scottsville, Monroe county, N. Y., August 8, 1820. After their marriage, which occurred De- cember 26, 1838, they settled in Genesee county. A few years later they came to Niagara county. He purchased a large tract of land on Tonawanda Creek and after living there a few years settled on the old homestead place, where the subject of this sketch now resides. In the year 1871 Mr. Briggs retired from active business life and purchased a home in the city of Lockport, where he resided until his death, which occurred October 4, 1893. The father of Esther Cornell Briggs was William Cornell, who was born in Caledonia, N. Y., July 21, 1818. When a child he came with his parents to Niagara county. October 23, 1840, he married Hannah E. Gunn of Henrietta, N. Y. After her death, which occurred July 19, 1847, he married Anna V. Gunn, who died January 13, 1882. Mr. Cornell died May 11, 1883, at his home at Porter Center.
Blum, Jacob, was born in Pendleton March 31, 1859, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gerhart) Blum. Jacob Blum, sr., was born in Bavaria, and came to America in 1847, when fourteen years of age, with his parents, Frank and Catharine Blum. He was apprenticed to the carpenter trade, but later on successfully entered the educa- tional field and for fifteen years taught in German and English in the Catholic school in Pendleton. He was an active Democrat and was collector and assessor for fifteen
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years; he died June 22, 1896, aged sixty-three years. The parents of Elizabeth Blum, John and Elizabeth Gerhart, came from Bavaria in 1834 and settled on a farm in Pendleton. John Gerhart was a mason by trade and worked in Lockport, build- ing the old Thornton and Chester Mills and later in Batavia, removing to Wisconsin in 1856, where he worked at his trade until eighty-four years old; he died at the age of eighty-eight and his wife at the age of eighty-four. Jacob Blum, the subject, was educated in the parish school at Pendleton and in 1881 engaged in the grocery busi- ness at Pendleton. He is a Democrat, and as such was, in 1883, elected town clerk and held the office eleven years in succession. He was defeated in 1895, but in 1897 was again elected for a term of two years. He has also been for nine years secre- tary of the Niagara and Erie County Farmers' Protective Association. He is a mem- ber of Swormville Branch No. 67, C. M. B. A.
Koetsch, Ernest A., was born in Newark, N. Y., August 5, 1867, a son of Godfrey and Katherine Koetsch, natives of Germany. He learned the trade of watchmaker and jeweler at Newark and Lyons, finishing up in the Horological Institute of Watchmakers at Chicago. He then spent a year in Lockport and was five years with Mundie & McCoy of North Tonawanda. April 25, 1896, he entered into part- nership with William C. Fowler, forming the jewelry firm of Koetsch & Fowler, one of the leading firms of the county. Mr. Koetsch is a member of the Foresters, of Electric Lodge I. O. O. F., and served five years in the 25th Separate Company ; he is also a member of the Methodist church and of the Y. M. C A.
Rabb, Peter J., was born in Eggertsville, Erie county, April 4, 1841. His father, Adam Rabb, was born in Germany and came to the United States in 1836, settling in Erie county, where he remained until 1853, when he moved to Pekin and after- wards to Cambria. In 1865 he moved to town of Lockport and died December 22, 1894. Peter J. Rabb was educated in the common schools and in 1861 enlisted in the 23d N. Y. Vol. Artillery, under Capt. Ransom, and took part in the battles of Newbern, Whitehall, Kinston and many others, receiving an honorable discharge July 14, 1865. He then returned to Niagara county and in 1869 married Harriet, daughter of John Singer, and they have three daughters, Laura E., Dora M., and Ida L. Mr. Rabb is one of the representative farmers of his town, serving as town collector and takes an intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions.
Morris, Augustus, a son of Francis C. and Anna P. (Schoonmaker) Morris, was born in the town of Porter, Niagara county, N. Y., October 12, 1865. He attended the public schools and took a preparatory course in the Lockport Union School, after which he entered the law office of Hon. David Millar as a student, and was admitted to the bar at Rochester in 1893. He immediately began the practice of his profession, in which he continued alone for a year, when he formed a copartner- ship with Charles Hickey which copartnership continued until January 1, 1896, at which time Mr. Hickey was elevated to the bench as county judge and surrogate of Niagara county, and the copartnership dissolved by operation of law, after which the firm of Morris & Smith was formed, which copartnership still continues. Mr. Morris was married June 26, 1895, to Mary E., daughter of Rev. and Mrs. W. L. Warner, of Sanborn, N. Y.
Pearson, Albert A., was born in the town of Royalton, December 12, 1860. His
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father, Henry Pearson, a native of England, with his brothers, William and Robert, settled in Niagara county, where their descendants now reside. Henry Pearson married Elizabeth J., daughter of Thomas Dale. Albert Pearson was educated in the common schools and in 1890 married Emma C. Silsby, and they have three sons, Albert H., George E. and John E. Mrs. Pearson died in 1895.
Pletcher, Franklin, was born at Niagara Falls, September 25, 1849, and is a son of Daniel Pletcher, a pioneer farmer of that place. Mr. Pletcher was educated in the public schools at Niagara Falls, and at the Lockport Union School; in 1869 he left school and went to work on his father's farm. In 1881 he removed to the village of Suspension Bridge, where he became an inspector of customs at the Custom House, and continued in that capacity until 1886, when he established his present business, that of flour, feed and grain. October 2, 1879, he married Martha E. Witmer, daugh- ter of Joseph and Catharine Witmer, of the town of Niagara, and they have one daughter, Edith M.
Humbert, William S., was born at Brooklyn, N. Y., December 13, 1861, and is a son of William P. Humbert, who was for years a Wall street broker; he is now re- tired and living in Buffalo. Mr. Humbert was educated in the Flushing (L. I.) In- stitute, and at the age of seventeen entered Columbia College, New York city, tak- ing and completing the course in Mining Engineering. He was graduated in 1883, and at once entered the employ of the City of New York, being employed on the Croton Aqueduct, where he remained until 1891 (as Assistant Engineer), at that time removing to Niagara Falls to accept the position of Division Engineer, in charge of construction, in the employ of the Niagara Falls Power Co. He continued in that position until 1893, when he entered business as a wholesale and retail dealer in Contractors' and Builders' Supplies, which business he still continues to successfully operate. December 28, 1887, he married Blanche A., daughter of Rev. David Ken- nedy, S. T. D., of Stanstead, Province of Quebec, Can. Mr. and Mrs. Humbert have one son, William K.
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